In this review, we will be comparing Kendall and VELA FS 409, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from KLH and ELAC. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KLH Kendall and ELAC VELA FS 409 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the KLH Kendall and ELAC VELA FS 409 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both Kendall and VELA FS 409 are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
KLH Kendall |
ELAC VELA FS 409 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
----inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5.25-inch |
1 x 6-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 7-inch
|
Kendall features a 1" anodized aluminum Tweeter , a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer . On the other hand, the VELA FS 409 features a ---" handmade JET 5 folded ribbon Tweeter , a 6" Midrange and 2 x 7" Aluminum/Paper Woofer .
Frequency Response
Kendall has a frequency range of 25-23k Hz whereas VELA FS 409 has a frequency range of 28-50k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the Kendall can go slightly deeper then the VELA FS 409's min frequency of 28Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
High Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Kendall is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the VELA FS 409 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the VELA FS 409 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Kendall sensitivity is rated at 96 dB and the VELA FS 409's is rated at 89 dB. This 7 dB difference makes the KLH Kendall a more sensitive speaker compared to ELAC VELA FS 409, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Kendall can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Kendall has a max power handling value of watts RMS , 200 watts less than the VELA FS 409.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both Kendall and VELA FS 409 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
KLH Kendall's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare KLH Kendall's and ELAC VELA FS 409's external dimensions. KLH Kendall has external dimensions of 1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm ( 40-3/16 x 8-5/16 x 14-15/16inch) whereas ELAC VELA FS 409 has external dimensions of 1331.0 x 278.0 x 345.0mm ( 52-3/8 x 10-15/16 x 13-9/16inch) .
KLH Kendall is 66mm narrower and 310mm shorter than ELAC VELA FS 409 but it is also 35mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KLH Kendall and ELAC VELA FS 409 in scale.
Comparison image of KLH Kendall and ELAC VELA FS 409 Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the KLH Kendall is approximately 805.6cm2 / 124.9inch2 and base area of the ELAC VELA FS 409 is approximately 959.1cm2 / 148.7inch2. The Kendall requires 16% less surface area than the VELA FS 409 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The KLH Kendall weighs 22.14kg / 48.7lbs and the ELAC VELA FS 409 weighs 32.18kg / 70.8lbs. This makes the VELA FS 409 45% heavier than the Kendall.
Here is a comparison of how Kendall and VELA FS 409's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of KLH Kendall?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Kendall:
Floorstanding loudspeakerGrilleFoam port4 Rubber feet4 Spike feet (with nuts)4 Protective discsManual
What's in the Box of ELAC VELA FS 409?
Here are the items that come with the VELA FS 409:
Floorstanding loudspeakerBase plate2 Jumper straps (pre-installed)4 Spikes4 Pucks4 Rubber pads4 Machine screws4 WashersHex-keyOperating And Safety Instructions
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
1021mm
vs
1331mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
805cm2 (212x380mm)
vs
959cm2 (278x345mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1500USD
vs
7400USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Woofer Size |
7 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
50k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
KLH Kendall |
ELAC VELA FS 409 |
| Brand |
KLH |
ELAC |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 250 watts |
40-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
96 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
25-23k Hz |
28-50k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
7" |
| Woofer Composition |
Woven Kevlar |
Aluminum/Paper |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Butyl Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
---" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
handmade JET 5 folded ribbon |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5.25" |
6" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1021.0mm (40.2") |
1331.0mm (52.4") |
| Width |
212.0mm (8.3") |
278.0mm (10.9") |
| Depth |
380.0mm (15") |
345.0mm (13.6") |
| Weight |
22.14kg (48.7lbs) |
32.18kg (70.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
MDF/Aluminum |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Gloss Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
10 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
10 Years |
3 Years |